A gem in Rockridge

This week we staged a charming home in Rockridge (for those of you not in the East Bay, Rockridge is a highly desirable area of Oakland filled with cute bungalows, great shopping and a wide variety of restaurants).

The owners of the home are artists and restaurant designers, and their good taste shows in the renovations they made throughout the house. For example, the exterior paint colors they chose are beautiful (and just happen to be very close to the colors we often spec!).

When you enter the home, a good size “plus room” sits on the left. We staged it as the perfect home office, which can also disappear behind original sliding wooden doors when guests arrive.

The living room features quintessential bungalow details such as a fireplace and built-in bookshelves on either side. Taking our cue from the owners’ Nelson pendant, we used mid-century pieces throughout the home mixed with rustic natural details.

In the above photo, you can see how the sight line is open from the living room on. When the owners remodeled their kitchen, they also cut a window through the wall dividing it from the dining room. This brilliant move allows the abundant natural light to stream throughout the first floor. And speaking of the kitchen . . .

Featuring marble countertops, custom teak cabinets, lots of windows and a built-in breakfast nook, this kitchen has it all. Yet it retains a simple, open feel that makes you want to whip up a meal. Cooking will always be pleasure and never a chore in a kitchen like this!

Through the kitchen door you walk onto a charming back deck that overlooks a good size backyard—complete with a playhouse!

The main floor also features two bedrooms and a full bathroom. This is staged as the master, looking out over the backyard.

The “kid’s room” has dreamy blue walls and pops of bright colors.

The attic has been cleverly converted into living space. As you come up the stairs, you arrive at a generous landing space which is perfect for a small TV room.

Past the TV room is another bedroom with new windows and lots of light.

It goes without saying that this home is beautiful, comfortable and inviting. But I think there are 5 reasons it stands above other cute bungalows in the area:

1. Natural light. This home is bright and sunny during all times of the day.

2. Soothing paint palette. Light grays, creams, sea-inspired blues, and white trim are used to create a good flow throughout the home.

3. Flexible plus spaces. The entryway office and upstairs space can be used so many different ways (artist’s studio, playroom, music room, etc.), so the home feels bigger than it is.

4. Beautiful and functional kitchen. It is a kitchen for serious cooks and for entertaining.

5. Multi-purpose backyard. The backyard features a deck for relaxing, a lawn area and playhouse for the kids, a dining space, and a detached garage that has the potential to be an office, studio, or outdoor lounge.

These are 5 features that will raise the value of any home, and will make this charming bungalow sell quickly.